A coroner's inquest into the deaths of two men, including Point Edward firefighter Gary Kendall, is recommending that all ice rescue training in fast-moving water be put on hold.
The jury at the inquest that began in Toronto May 9, has made 15 recommendations including suspending all swift-water ice training until a committee of experts establishes standards to minimize risks.
The 51-year-old Kendall died in January 2010 while training on the St. Clair River and five years later, 30-year-old Durham College firefighting student Adam Brunt was killed in a similar training exercise in the Saugeen River east of Walkerton.
The incidents occurred during courses involving the same company, Herschel Rescue Training Systems.
The inquest jury's verdict has ruled the deaths were accidents.
The province is also encouraged to consider designating locations where training may take place if at some point the expert committee feels available equipment, techniques and standards are in place to allow training to continue.
Creation of an approved training curriculum is also recommended and the province is encouraged to create a system to ensure all trainers, instructors or providers of courses in fire protection services are certified or qualified to an appropriate standard. Those in private services as well as government or regulatory bodies would be included.
The jury also asks that the Office of the Chief Coroner be updated on the progress in considering or implementing the recommendations over the next three years.
